I bought it over for you, it is a very long thread. The work I did for the hardship was done off of this site and a lot of effort went into ensuring that Abbey listened, my papers were well documented. I am willing offer my help any peeps in the hardship area which need assistance. Some of the other banks are also starting to pay out as well. It is a question of how the claim is packaged and ensuring that you cover all the bases. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/abbey-bank/65003-ds-abbey-bank.html Tuttsi xx

Hiya SSL Long time no see for me as well. Looks like you are being kept very busy. I wish you all the best in dealing with Wescott. Abbey have just recognised my hardship - despite me telling them over and over in writing and at a hearing for lift of stay. They are now giving me an interim payment of 65% of my claim = £4.3K and this will not prejudice the balance of my claim until after the test case. Tuttsi xx

Hi Tide How's the court case going! Tuttsi xx

Hiya HBTS I have had my hardship claim agreed with Abbey last Friday they are paying 65% of my total claim £4.3k. It has taken just under 4 weeks to achieve this. My case against them started early last year and unfortunately due to high volumes of bank charge claims mine got held up in court and was then stayed. I have been fighting the hardship for some months now and I have now been fortunate enough to have had a payout. This payout will not prejudice the balance of my claim and Abbey have made no conditions. What you need to do is:- 1. If you have not done so already a pre-lim letter and also include all your hardship details, with a brief description of why you are in this position. 2. Prepare an income and expenses schedule. 3. Prepare a spreadie of all your charges and compensatory interest at 8%. 4. Also enclose all evidence to substantiate your claim. Good Luck Tuttsi xx

Hiya Mice, I have briefly read your thread and it appears you could be a hardship claimant. I have just had my hardship claim agreed with Abbey 65% of my total claim = £4.3K and the money will be in the account by tomorrow, it took just under 4 weeks. Did you by any chance send with your letter an income and expenditure showing that you cannot meet your essential household needs. Why have they refused to look at financial hardship... all the banks are now looking at genuine hardship under the revised FSA waiver rules. If they break the rules and refuse they will have to answer to the FSA and they may revoke the waiver. It is my honest opinion and suggestion if you have not already supplied them with the I&E you do so immediately together with as much evidences as you can muster including any services which you are currently in arrears, mortgage etc, any court documents if this exist, a brief outline of why you find yourself as a hardship catagory in a letter requesting that they consider your claim under the FSA waiver rules. I wish all the best Tuttsi xx

Hiya Flubdub I have just had my hardship claim with Abbey agreed. It took just under 4 weeks and Abbey have agreed 65% = £4.3K and this will not prejudice my claim for the future. The same as you our joint budget sheet showed in minus our outgoings being more than was coming in. We also had a suspended possession order and showed evidences for this. Abbey agreed we were a hardship case and the money should be in the bank by tomorrow. I was gobsmacked when they called me. Hang in there, I am sure that all banks are looking at at hardship cases fairly. Had you previously had your claim stayed! I look forward to you hearing very soon. Tuttsi xx

I am never normally lucky, but pleased that I was lucky on this occassion, it was a life saver for us. The whole amount would have been better but hey 65% is better than nout. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you that all will come good. Sounds like you are on the right track. I am helping anyone in this situation that has a hardship case because I have done it and it worked for me. >>>>>>>>>

When did you send you claim in, did you send it with all the documentation ie Income and Expenditure, Updated spreadie of your charges and interest, evidences supporting your harship and of course a letter laying out why you feel you are a hardship case. It is also importnat that you document everything really well, I numbered the pages to match with the para numbers in the letter to make it easy for them. I also put my court claim number as case had been stayed and my Abbey account number. Ronan told me that once they have all the documentation together they send it to a special department which has recently been set up to deal with the 1000's of claims for a decision to be made. Mine must have been packaged well as Ronan was true to his word he said he would call me on Friday and he did with the offer and to say that Abbey had recognised that I was a genuine hardship case.Others I know who sent theirs off the same time as mine and packaged the same way have not yet heard but are expecting to hear any day. If you have sent everything and covered all aspects which I have recomended and you have not heard I would in your circumstances contact the CEO of Abbey and ask them to chase it for you as time is of the essence. I know someone who did this because of a pending repssession through First Direct and they chased it for him and paid pretty quickly to help his situation. Good luck and let me know how you get on. Tuttsi xx

I have just received an agreement from Abbey to pay on Financial Hardship under the FSA New waiver rules 65% of my claim £4,3K my claim will not be preudiced and should the OFT win the test case then I can expect the balance of 35% plus further interest. My claim was dealt with within 4 weeks. This is my thread, a claim which I started early last year and then it got caught up in the stayed cases at court. I have been in court with Abbeys barister to try and lift the stay and did my best to argue with the Judge and Barrister for Abbey for 1.5 hours when we only had 10 minutes allocated for the hearing. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/abbey-bank/65003-ds-abbey-bank.html Anyone in this Financial situation should make a claim to any of the banks not just Abbey as they are all starting to help hardship cases.It is important however to package up the claim well and include all evidences, and income and expenses, an up to date spreadie of charges and statutory/ compensatory interest and finally a letter explaining why you are in this situation and why you come under the FSA waiver rules. I would like to help anyone who finds themselves in this situation. Tuttsi xx

Hi Woodwa5 I have just briefly read your thread and you have been treated very shabilly by Abbey. I have just had my hardship case claim agreed by Abbey on 65% of my claim which was originally stayed by the courts. The balance of my claim has not been predudiced and after I should be able to achieve the balance once the OFT win the test case. Abbey have told me the money will be in my account this week. This is the draft of the letter but you will have to Tweek it to suit your own hardship grounds. If you have not already got a claim stayed then you should add a prem-lim letter then follow on with this letter. Remember as much info and documentary evidence as you can put in will help your case tremendously. It took just under 4 weeks to get my offer and I believe it was because I gave as much detail as I could with all the back up evidence. If you do not try you will not get.. Good Luck and let me know how you get on. Tuttsi xx Your Name ADDRESS 1 ADDRESS 2 ADDRESS 3 ADDRESS 4 TEL/FAX XXXXXXXXX EMAIL XXXXXXXXXX FOA: Mr Ronan Coyle Location Code TS6 D03 Abbey National PLC Abbey National House 2 Triton Square Regent Park London NW1 3AN DATE………….. BY RECORDED DELIVERY Dear Mr Coyle YOUR NAME ABBEY ACCOUNT NUMBER:- XXXXXXXX CLAIM NO:- XXXXXXX I am writing to you regarding my claim and my financial hardship situation which I understand meets the FSA’s recent update to the complaints handling waiver and their guidelines on financial difficulty. I would like to attach documentation in support of my hardship case which evidences my extreme financial difficulty, as follows:- 1 : An updated spreadsheet showing my claim value as £XXXXXXX with Abbey at the present time. 2 : A Joint/ individual personal budget sheet which shows a monthly deficit of £XXX 3. 4. 5. 6. HERE WRITE A DESCRIPTION AS TO WHY YOU FEEL YOU ARE A GENUINE HARDSHIP CASE AND THE EFFECT IT IS HAVING ON YOU/ AND YOUR FAMILY, ETC ETC…. Change these paragraphs to suit My husband and I are currently finding it very difficult to cope during the present economic climate coupled with the real threat of losing the residential home as a result of the suspended possession order. This financial situation is putting a terrible burden on both myself and my family, and I please ask that you reconsider my claim and my circumstances given the current waiver criteria and the banking code. I look forward to hearing from you shortly. Yours sincerely xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Your Name ADDRESS 1 ADDRESS 2 ADDRESS 3 ADDRESS 4 TEL/FAX XXXXXXXXX EMAIL XXXXXXXXXX FOA: Mr Ronan Coyle Location Code TS6 D03 Abbey National PLC Abbey National House 2 Triton Square Regent Park London NW1 3AN DATE………….. BY RECORDED DELIVERY Dear Mr Coyle YOUR NAME ABBEY ACCOUNT NUMBER:- XXXXXXXX CLAIM NO:- XXXXXXX I am writing to you regarding my claim and my financial hardship situation which I understand meets the FSA’s recent update to the complaints handling waiver and their guidelines on financial difficulty. I would like to attach documentation in support of my hardship case which evidences my extreme financial difficulty, as follows:- 1 : An updated spreadsheet showing my claim value as £XXXXXXX with Abbey at the present time. 2 : A Joint personal budget sheet which shows a monthly deficit of £XXX 3. 4. 5. 6. HERE WRITE A DESCRIPTION AS TO WHY YOU FEEL YOU ARE A GENUINE HARDSHIP CASE AND THE EFFECT IT IS HAVING ON YOU/ AND YOUR FAMILY, ETC ETC…. Change these paragraphs to suit My husband and I are currently finding it very difficult to cope during the present economic climate coupled with the real threat of losing the residential home as a result of the suspended possession order. This financial situation is putting a terrible burden on both myself and my family, and I please ask that you reconsider my claim and my circumstances given the current waiver criteria and the banking code. I look forward to hearing from you shortly. Yours sincerely xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Worried You are right to be worried, it looks like you you will come under hardship as defined by the FSA waiver rules. If you have not already done a prelim letter regarding the charges and interest I would suggest doing this immediately and at the same time you can include all of the financial hardship deatils and evidences. Another point on the Mortgage possession, not knowing your full details, there is the Norgan v cheltenham and Gloucester case where you can offer to pay the arrears over the remaining mortgage. You can look this up on Google. The best way forward you should do your Pre lim letter or Letter before action and include the hardship details as follows:- 1.Joint Income and expenditure sheet. 2.Documentary evidences ie court summon's, Mortgage repossion documents etc, statement from your mortgage company showing that you are in arrears, council tax, electricty and gas arrears etc....in fact everything that you are currently struggling with. 3.Include in your letter why you believe you should be considered a hardship case ie in my case my hubby had a couple of emergency operations and we fell into serious arrears leading to a suspended possession order and behind with paying household bills. You have to spell out exactly why you feel that you have good grounds under the present FSA waiver rules on hardship. In your case what led to the Financial hardship building up..... 4.An up to date spreadie of charges and interest (call it compensatory interest not statutory). Send it by recorded or special delivery so that they have to sign for. If you need any further help I would be pleased to assist. Tuttsi xx

They are offering to give you a loan to pay a £100 back each month. Do you come under hardship and have you suffered by excess bank charges. Perhaps if you could explain your situation better with regards to the payment plan I or someone may be able to assist better. Tuttsi xx

Hi JCL, I agree your hubby who you have told me has a sleep disorder and who has had to change to a lower paid job which in my opinion you should fall in the genuine hardship catagory, as that is a change in circumstances. I would definately follow the route I have already set out on my previous thread, unless you make them wholy aware of your complete financial situation they cannot consider a claim. In the first instance you would need to do a joint income and expenditure. Evidence confirming your husbands condition and any other documentary evidence showing that he has had to drop his salary. Any other evidences ie arrears on household bills, bank charges etc, an up to date bank charges and interest spreadie, showing the interest as compensatory and not statutory. Abbey will not consider any claim unless it falls within the waiver guidlines and if you send everything complete and nicely packaged with a letter explaining everything I believe you would stand a good chance. Don't forget whatever info you can provide will help. Tuttsi xx

Having read your thread I think you need some guidance. I have just received 65% of my claim from Abbey under the current Financial hardship waiver rules. With my claim took Abbey just under 4 weeks to make me an offer and incidentially it will not prediduce my on going claim. The money will be in my account this week as Abbey recognised me as a genuine hardship case. The best way forward you should do your letter before action and include the hardship details as follows:- 1.Income and expenditure sheet. 2.Documentary evidences ie court summon's, statement from your mortgage company showing that you are in arrears, council tax, electricty and gas arrears etc.... 3.Include in your letter why you believe you should be considered a hardship case ie in my case my hubby had a couple of emergency operations and we fell into serious arrears leading to a suspended possession order and behind with paying household bills. You have to spell out exactly why you feel that you have good grounds under the present FSA waiver rules on hardship. 4.An up to date spreadie of charges and interest (call it compensatory interest not statutory). Use the reference that they gave you on their last letter and send it to that department by recorded or special delivery so that they have to sign for. If you need any further help I would be pleased to assist. Tuttsi xx

Hi JCL, Having read your thread I think you need some guidance. I have just received 65% of my claim from Abbey under the current Financial hardship waiver rules. With my claim took Abbey just under 4 weeks to make me an offer and incidentially it will not prediduce my on going claim. The money will be in my account this week as Abbey recognised me as a genuine hardship case. The best way forward you should do your letter before action and include the hardship details as follows:- 1.Income and expenditure sheet. 2.Documentary evidences ie court summon's, statement from your mortgage company showing that you are in arrears, council tax, electricty and gas arrears etc.... 3.Include in your letter why you believe you should be considered a hardship case ie in my case my hubby had a couple of emergency operations and we fell into serious arrears leading to a suspended possession order and behind with paying household bills. You have to spell out exactly why you feel that you have good grounds under the present FSA waiver rules on hardship. 4.An up to date spreadie of charges and interest (call it compensatory interest not statutory). Use the reference that they gave you on their last letter and send it to that department by recorded or special delivery so that they have to sign for. If you need any further help I would be pleased to assist. Tuttsi xx

I do have the letter which I sent which is personal to me and my own circumstances. I will however draft for you an outline for the letter which you can then add all about your own hardship details. I am at work now but will do it when I get home this evening. It is really best in these circumstances not to send stereo type letters especially if you want Abbey to consider your claim seriously. JSA - Job Seekers allowance is good Any other debts like mortgage/rent/council tax /telephone/gas/electric arrears or anything else which you are currently being threatened with or can show any court judgements. You will need to supply proof if you want Abbey to consider your claim. (we have a suspended possession order) You need to do a joint income and expenses summary (ours by the way was in the negative but was unfortunately accurate hence why we are in the position that we are in ) The reasons which lead up to your current hardship,(with mine my hubby had two emergency eye ops last year which caused him to fall dramatically behind with the mortgage repayments anomgst other debts) You have to make a strong case for yourself if you want to be concidered. Tuttsi xx

Alex, Basically, a new department has been set up which Ronan will pass your letter and evidences to to them, he will monitor the position and you can actually phone him and yes you actually get to speak to him each time. Whenever I spoke to him he always gave me an update and was always true to his word. He is a nice guy so go carefull with him, it is nice to have a contact. The special department which Abbey have set up will deal directly with Ronan and it was Ronan that actually phoned me on Friday with my offer. I sent everything at the same time and they dealt with my claim in under 4 weeks and they never asked for any more documentation. Also, i would send an updated charges and interest spreadie, and put you court claim number on as well for reference. So, now you are on the right track, and if you package everything nicely and your documentation show that you are a genuine hardship case I see no reason why you should not be treated the same way as me. Good Luck Tuttsi xx

Hiya Knelly I have had a great result from Abbey, I wrote again with evidences of my financial hardship after the new waiver rules were introduced in July in fact I sent the letter on 9th August and last Friday I received a call from their legal dept, they agreed I was in financial difficulty and are transfering 65% of my claim to my account next week. This is £4,378.30 so hey, I am delighted, at least I know that the mortgage payments will be made this month. I am willing to help help anyone in a similar position as I know without the help that I was given I would never have made it. Also, the balance of my claim is preserved until after the test case as this offer does not predudice my claim and the balance will be determined after the OFT test case. If you know of anyone who is in this situation ask them to contact me. It is not just Abbey that are paying out either, many of the banks are starting to look at genuine hardship cases. Tuttsi xx

Hi CM I note that you have a financial hardship case and want to progress it further and that you claim has been stayed in court. I have just been sucessful in getting Abbey to agree to repay me 65% of my claim which has been stayed in court and which is NOT in full and final and after the test case if the OFT win I will be able to recover the balance. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/abbey-bank/65003-ds-abbey-bank.html The person to contact is Ronan Coyle, Abbey National PLC, Location Code TS6 D03, Abbey National House, 2 Triton Square, London NW1 3AN Tel:-020 7756 4398 you will need to quote your court reference number. The documents which I sent to him were:- 1. A brief letter fully explaining the reasons why you meet the FSA's recent update in the new waiver conditions. 2. An income and expenses sheet. 3. All documentary evidences supporting the hardship letter, 4. A revised claims schedule of charges and interest to date. Should you require more help, please just ask. As not only are Abbey now agreeing hardship claims other banks are also. It is really important that you give as much information and evidence that you readliy have. My claim was dealt with within 4 weeks and I did not have to supply any further information. Tuttsi xx

Alex, If you have a stayed claim have you directed your claim to Ronan Coyle, Abbey National PLC, Location Code TS6 D03, Abbey National House, 2 Triton Square, Regent Park, London NW1 3AN Tel:020 7756 4398. in addition to the income and expenses sheet did you also give evidences of your financial hardship. Did you also quote your court claim number for a reference. Tuttsi xx

with pleasure, if you prefer you can PM it - do not put any personal details like true name etc... Tuttsi xx

The best way forward you should do your letter before action and include the hardship details as follows:- 1.Income and expenditure sheet. 2.Documentary evidences ie court summon's, statement from your mortgage company showing that you are in arrears, council tax, electricty and gas arrears etc.... 3.Include in your letter why you believe you should be considered a hardship case ie in my case my hubby had a couple of emergency operations and we fell into serious arrears leading to a suspended possession order and behind with paying household bills. You have to spell out exactly why you feel that you have good grounds under the present FSA waiver rules on hardship. 4.An up to date spreadie of charges and interest (call it compensatory interest not statutory). Use the refernce that they gave you on their last letter and send it to that department by recorded or special delivery so that they have to sign for. If you need any further help just ask. Tuttsi xx

Hi Alex I have just had my harship case reviewed by Abbey and received an offer of 65% of the sum claimed on Friday and the money will be in my bank by mid-next week. My case as you will see has been ongoing since April 2007 and was stayed by the courts. They took approx 3 weeks to come to a decision.I had also previously sent details of my Hardship to the FOS which was a complete waste of time. But under the new waiver rules all banks as far as I can see are now certainly looking to help people in Financial Hardship. My thread is here:- http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/abbey-bank/65003-ds-abbey-bank.html I am presuming that you have not yet written to Abbey or indeed made a claim through the courts. If you require any help please ask and I will do my best to assist you. Tuttsi xx

I have just had an offer of payout on financial hardship on Friday they are payinmg me 65% = £4.3K of my claim which was stayed by the test case and I am informed that this will not preduduce my claim for the balance after the test case. I have not had to sign anything and the money will be in my account during next week. http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/abbey-bank/65003-ds-abbey-bank.html Providing all the documentation is in order and they dealt with mine in under 4 weeks. If anyone requires any help please let me know. Tuttsi xx